Shielded multi-channel EEG headset systems and methods

Abstract

Embodiments of a shielded sensor headset including a plurality of electrodes are generally described herein. In some embodiments a sensor headset can include electrodes, traces, and connection terminals printed on a first side of a flexible insulating substrate; and a shield plane printed on a second side of the flexible insulating substrate, the shield plane providing protection against interference. In some embodiments a sensor headset can include a first and a second assembly each having a plurality of electrodes, the first and second assemblies being configured to mate such that the electrodes comply with the 10-20 standard for EEG electrode placement. In some embodiments a sensor headset can include a dual-layer foam reservoir disposed above individual electrodes. An inner layer of the dual-layer foam reservoir can be in contact with an electrode, include a conductive gel, and form a cavity for receiving additional gel through a perforation in the electrode.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An EEG sensor headset comprising:
 a plurality of electrodes; 
 an elongated central strip defining one or more electrode-ports and including at least some of the plurality of electrodes and a first connector, the elongated central strip being sized to cover at least a portion of a center line from a nasal bridge to a spinal column of a patient, and being at least partially coated with a first adhesive on a patient side; 
 an anterior member including a first left wing and a first right wing, each of the first left wing and the first right wing extending from the central strip, the first left wing and the first right wing each having at least two of the plurality of electrodes, at least a portion of the anterior member being coated with the first adhesive on the patient side; a left-end portion of the first left wing and a right-end portion of the first right wing being coated with a second adhesive on the patient side; 
 a second anterior member including a second left wing and a second right wing each having an electrode of the plurality of the electrodes, each of the second left wing and the second right wing extending from the central strip; at least a portion of the second anterior member being coated with the first adhesive on the patient side, a left-end portion of the second left wing and a right-end portion of the second right wing being coated with the second adhesive on the patient side; 
 a right side member extending from the central strip and including an electrode of the plurality of electrodes, at least a portion of the right side member being coated with the first adhesive on the patient side; 
 a right contact member coupled to the right side member by a first lateral flex joint, the right contact member being coated with the second adhesive on the patient side; 
 a left side member extending from the central strip and including an electrode of the plurality of electrodes; a portion of the left side member being coated with the first adhesive on the patient side; 
 a left contact member coupled to the left side portion by a second lateral flex joint, the left contact member being coated with the second adhesive on the patient side; 
 a posterior member coated with the first adhesive on the patient side, the posterior member including: 
 a third left wing extending from the central strip and having at least three of the plurality of electrodes on the patient side, and an upper and a lower external adhesion location coated with the second adhesive on an outer side opposite the patient side, and 
 a third right wing extending from the central strip and having at least three of the plurality of electrodes on the patient side, and an upper and a lower external adhesion location coated with the second adhesive on the outer side; 
 the first connector disposed between the anterior member and the posterior member, the first connector electrically coupled to at least some of the plurality of electrodes by respective traces, the first connector including a terminal corresponding to respective electrodes; and 
 a shield plane including at least a portion coupled to the central strip, the shield plane coupled to a flexible outer substrate opposite the patient side, the flexible outer substrate providing a dielectric material disposed between the shield plane and the plurality of electrodes. 
 
     
     
       2. The EEG sensor headset of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a lower ocular member having an electrode of the plurality of electrodes, coupled to the left contact member by a third lateral flex joint; 
 wherein the second lateral flex joint and the third lateral flex joint include at least one of the plurality of traces electrically coupling the electrode of the lower ocular member to the first connector. 
 
     
     
       3. The EEG sensor headset of  claim 2 , wherein the lower ocular member includes an adhesive opposite the electrode such that the lower ocular member can be adhered to the left contact member when the third lateral flex joint is bent at an angle of approximately 180 degrees. 
     
     
       4. The EEG sensor headset of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of electrodes comprises at least nineteen electrodes. 
     
     
       5. The EEG sensor headset of  claim 2 , wherein the first lateral flex joint, the second lateral flex joint, and the third lateral flex joint have a width that is less than one-half a width of the elongated central strip. 
     
     
       6. The EEG sensor headset of  claim 2 , wherein the central strip is first central strip, and wherein the plurality of electrodes is a first plurality of electrodes, the headset further comprising:
 an auxiliary sensor assembly including: 
 a second plurality of electrodes; 
 an elongated second central strip, 
 a pair of electrodes of the second plurality of electrodes configured to mate with a pair of the one or more electrode-ports of the elongated first central strip, 
 a left auxiliary wing extending from the second central strip and having an electrode of the second plurality of electrodes, 
 a right auxiliary wing extending from the second central strip and having an electrode of the second plurality of electrodes, 
 a left extension coupled to the left auxiliary wing by a fourth lateral flex joint, 
 a right extension coupled to the right auxiliary wing by a fifth lateral flex joint, 
 a left ear piece having an electrode of the second plurality of electrodes coupled to the left extension by a sixth lateral flex joint, 
 a right ear piece having an electrode of the second plurality of electrodes coupled to the right extension by a seventh lateral flex joint, and 
 a second connector electrically coupled to the second plurality of electrodes by a plurality of traces; 
 wherein the auxiliary sensor assembly defines a port disposed at a location corresponding to an electrode of the first plurality of the electrodes of the first central strip when the pair of electrodes of the second plurality of electrodes configured to mate with the pair of electrode-ports of the elongated first central strip are disposed in their respective ports. 
 
     
     
       7. The EEG sensor headset of  claim 6 , wherein the first plurality of electrodes comprises twenty-one electrodes arranged according to the International Standard 10-20 System. 
     
     
       8. The EEG sensor headset of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a plurality of dual-layer foam reservoirs having an inner layer encircled at least in part by an annular outer layer, the inner layer in contact with a respective electrode. 
 
     
     
       9. The EEG sensor headset of  claim 8 , wherein the inner layer of the plurality of dual-layer foam reservoirs includes a conductive gel. 
     
     
       10. The EEG sensor headset of  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of partial perforations in the flexible outer substrate, each partial perforation corresponding to a location of one of the electrodes such that a conductive gel can be applied through the flexible outer substrate to the inner layer. 
     
     
       11. The EEG sensor headset of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second connector electrically coupled to a set of electrodes of the plurality of electrodes by a plurality of traces, the second connector including a terminal corresponding to a respective electrode of the set of the electrodes; 
 wherein the first connector is coupled to the electrodes of the plurality of electrodes that are excluded from the set of electrodes. 
 
     
     
       12. The EEG sensor headset of  claim 1 , wherein the second adhesive has a higher tack than the first adhesive. 
     
     
       13. The EEG sensor headset of  claim 12 , wherein the second adhesive has a tackiness twice as strong as the first adhesive, the first adhesive and the second adhesive both including a pressure-sensitive adhesive that does not cause skin irritation. 
     
     
       14. The EEG sensor headset of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flexible circuit assembly including at least some of the traces; 
 foam reservoirs proximate to the respective electrodes, the foam reservoir including: 
 an outer band of foam having a first surface toward the flexible circuit assembly and an opposing second surface away from the flexible circuit assembly, the first surface being coupled to the flexible circuit assembly and extending about a respective electrode and defining a volume proximate the electrode; and 
 an inner region of foam, having a lower density and higher permeability than the outer band of foam, disposed in the volume and in contact with the electrode such that a portion of the inner volume of foam extends beyond the second surface of the outer band. 
 
     
     
       15. The sensor headset of  claim 14 , wherein the inner region of foam defines a central passageway from the electrode to an external surface of the inner region of foam. 
     
     
       16. The sensor headset of  claim 15 , wherein the flexible circuitry assembly and the electrode include a partial perforation coaxial to the central passageway of the inner region of foam. 
     
     
       17. The sensor headset of  claim 14 , wherein outer band of foam is annular and the inner region of foam is cylindrical. 
     
     
       18. The sensor headset of  claim 14 , wherein outer band of foam is polyethylene with a density of at least at least 100 pores per inch (PPI), and the inner region of foam has a density of at least 60 PPI. 
     
     
       19. The sensor headset of  claim 14 , wherein outer band of foam is polyethylene with a density of at least at least 90 pores per inch (PPI), and the inner region of foam has a density of at least 50 PPI.